Understanding the Language: Coupon Acronyms & Terms

When you first start to coupon and refund (and even if you’re a seasoned veteran), you may be faced with a large number of abbreviations, acronyms and terms which your can’t make heads or tails of. Whether or not you are new to couponing, sorting through forums, blogs, and articles filled with abbreviations and text messaging formats can be confusing, and even frustrating. Add in deal- and coupon-specific terms and jargon, and even the most experienced shopper may be feel lost in translation.

Here is a quick reference guide of some of the most common abbreviations and terms used by couponers and deal-seekers:

AC: After Coupon, usually the price after a coupon is appliedActuals: The actual item as opposed to a coupon for it (an item from your stockpile)AR: After Rebate, usually the final cost after the rebate is received

B&M: Brick & Mortar, a store you physically enter to purchase products, as opposed to an online storeBlinkies: A type of coupon found in stores, distributed by SmartSource, and dispensed from a small box with a red blinking lightBOGO: Buy one, get one xxx (the second item might be free, half price, a free gift, etc)B1G1F: Buy one get one freeBOLO: Be On the LookoutB&M: Brick and Mortar (supermarket, etc.), as opposed to an online or “virtual” storeBTFE: Box Tops for Education, a promotionBTW: By the way

C&P: cut & paste, copyCatalina: A type of coupon dispensed at the cash register after purchase, often in response to a specific purchase. Catalina is the marketing company that distributes and manages this coupon program. These coupons are also known as Register Rewards, Check Out Coupons, Checkout Rewards, Extra Care Bucks, etc..Check out Coupon: A type of coupon dispensed at the cash register after purchase, often in response to a specific purchase.Check out Reward: A type of coupon dispensed at the cash register after purchase, often in response to a specific purchase.C/O: A cents off couponCRT: Cash register tapeCYE: Check your email

DCRT: Dated cash register tape, generally required for rebates as proof of purchaseDCRTC: Dated cash register tape with the price circled, generally required for rebates as proof of purchaseDH: Dear husbandDND: Do Not Double, a term printed by manufacturers on some coupons. This term allows the store discretion in doubling the value of the coupon under the store-specific coupon policiesDouble coupon: Some stores match the manufacturers value on a coupon, which “doubles” the value of the coupon for the consumer. For example, a coupon printed as 50 cents off of one item may be “doubled” by the store to become $1 off the item. The store covers the cost of the additional discount, and each store sets their own policy on whether they double coupons, how many coupons may be doubled at once, etc. Please check your store for their specific policies.DS: Dear SonDW: Dear Wife

ECB: CVS Extra Care Bucks earned for purchases, these are similar to Catalina coupons, but are store- and member-specificETA: Edited to add

FAR: Free After Rebate, meaning the cost of the item is free after the rebate is received

GDA: Good Deal Alert, meaning a great price for an item has been identified and posted

HABA: Health and Beauty Aides found in stores, such as aspirin and cosmeticsHBA: Health and Beauty Aides found in stores, such as aspirin and cosmeticsHT: Hang tags for refunds or coupons hanging on a productHTH: Hope that helps

IDSO: In Desperate Search OfIMO: In My OpinionIMHO: In My Humble OpinionIP: Internet Printable coupon, printed on a home computerIRL: In Real Life (instead of the internet world )ISO: In Search OfIVDSO: In Very Desperate Search Of

NAZ: Name, address, zip code; the mailing information needed to send and receive mailNBPN/NBPR: No beer purchase necessary/required to use the coupon or rebate. This term is specific to offers provided by beer, wine, and alcohol manufacturers, and varies from state to state. See the coupon section for more information.NED: No expiration daten/m: never mindNP: No problemNWPN/NWPR: No wine purchase necessary/required to use the coupon or rebate. This term is specific to offers provided by beer, wine, and alcohol manufacturers, and varies from state to state. See the coupon section for more information.

OAS: on any size, a coupon or other offer that is valid on any size of the productOBE: overtaken by eventsOCD: Obsessive Compulsive DisorderOCI: organizational conflict of interestOOP: Out of Pocket, usually referring to the final cost after coupons and discounts have been appliedOOS: Out of StockOSI: On a single itemOYNO: On your next order/purchase, usually referring to Catalina type coupons that provide discount on your next purchase.

P&G: Proctor & Gamble, also referring to the PGBrandsaver coupon insertPeelie: a coupon that you peel off the packagePLMK: Please Let Me KnowPOP: Proof of purchasePP: purchase pricePPHF: Paypal handling feePSA: Prices Starting At or Public Service Announcement

Q or Qualifier: The POP required for a refund offer that is physically taken from that package

RAOK: Random act of kindness, often a set of coupons sent to another member with no expectations in returnRC, or R/C: Raincheck

RP: RedPlumRR: Register Rewards, a type of “catalina” coupon received at check out and good on your next order. This phrase is typically used at Walgreens

SASE: Self Addressed Stamped EnvelopeSCR: Rite Aid Single Check RebateSD: store displaySF: store formSMP: Specially Marked PackagesSS: Smart Source, also referring to the SmartSource coupon insert packageStacking: Using a store and manufacturers coupon together on one purchase is referred to as stacking. Some stores provide additional discounts through “store” coupons, usually found in their sales flyer or other store brochure. These “store” discount coupons can be used in addition to a manufacturers coupon on an item.

Tear pad: A pad of refund forms or coupons found hanging from a store shelf or displayTMF: Try Me Free, usually a mail-in rebate refunding the purchase price of an item to encourage consumers to try the product.Triple coupon: Occasionally a store will offer a promotional period where the consumer receives triple the manufacturers value on a coupon. For example, a coupon printed as 50 cents off of one item may be “triple” by the store to become $1.50 off the item. The store covers the cost of the additional discount, and each store sets their own policy on whether they double coupons, how many coupons may be doubled at once, etc. Please check your store for their specific policies.TYVM: Thank you very much

Wine Tag/WT: A coupon hanging from a bottle of wine, or any coupon discount provided by alcohol manufacturers. These coupons are typically good on any brand of a specific item, such as $1 off of any meat, or $1 off any white item.WPN: Wine purchase necessaryWSL: while supplies lastWTH: What the Heck?WYB: When You Buy

YMMV: Your Mileage May Vary; meaning that the results may vary, or the offer may not be available in all areas, etc.YVW: You’re very welcome

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4 Comments

Thanks for posting the info. Wish these codes were available years ago. After getting seriously frustrated with codes and no way to translate them, the whole idea of being in a coupon club was dropped.